"Everyone's excited," Backman said. "The first practice, it's good to get that going ¦ see if we can fine-tune everything."

After Backman scored 23 points for the Texas Stars in his rookie season last year after four years at Yale, he and the Sound Tigers are hoping that was a stepping stone toward a bigger second pro season.

"We're looking for him to be one of our top-six forwards," Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson said after his first practice as an AHL head coach. "Hopefully, this is an opportunity for him."

His family has a track record of success in Connecticut and New York.

Backman's father, Mike, played an eight-year pro career, mostly with the New York Rangers and New Haven Nighthawks, in the late 1970s and 1980s. Sean, now 25, was born soon after Mike's career ended, with the family settled in Greenwich.

"To play in front of my friends and family, I'm really excited," Sean Backman said. "I played four years up in New Haven (at Yale), and now to get a chance to play professionally here, I'm just trying to enjoy the experience."

Backman said playing for the Stars last year -- he also skated in five ECHL games with Idaho -- was a good learning experience. He arrived in Bridgeport to a coach who seems impressed with his work ethic.

"He's going to be a dynamic player," Thompson said. "He's got speed. He has a fantastic shot."

Backman, who scored between 27 and 35 points in each of his seasons at Yale, said he's always trying to create offense.

"I try to do the best I can to make some plays," Backman said.

Backman skated with rookie forwards Tyler McNeely and Casey Cizikas in the team's first practice. He was one of 19 players sent down from the Islanders on Sunday.

A 20th man, forward Chris Langkow, joined the team on a pro tryout. He played for Thompson last year with Alaska of the ECHL.

The Sound Tigers play at home Saturday against Portland, then Sunday at Albany to begin a 76-game regular season.